5 % 


Catalogue No. 4. 




...THE UNION... 


IMPROVED 


ONCENTRATOR. 



“ir e £\ 


tJKp. 




OFFICE, 


MAIN WORKS, 


| ’(MAR »i 1896 j'jfP'J 

222 MARKET STREET, 


POTRERO, 


CITY WORKS, - 225 and 227 FIRST STREET, 

CABLE ADDRESS, “UNION,” 

l 

P. O. BOX 2128, 

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 



H. 8. CROOXEH COMPANY,PRINTERS, 8. P. 

























1 j HIS MACHINE is the result of twenty years practical 
experience in concentrating machinery, and the valu¬ 
able features embodied therein are covered by 

U. S. Letters Patent No. 313,481 March 10, 1885, 

U. S. Letters Patent No. 556,089 March 10, 1896, 
and patents pending. 

Infringements will be prosecuted to the full extent of 
the law. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1896, by 
UNION IRON WORKS, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



















UNION ORE CONCENTRATOR 

WITH SUTPHURET DISCHARGE. 
[patented] 




































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 5 


Union O re Concentrator. 


On the opposite page we illustrate a Union Ore Concentrator, set 
up in complete running order. The type of machine here shown is so 
well and generally known that a lengthy description is not necessary. 

The machine consists of an inclined shaking frame or table, sus¬ 
pended by hangers or links from the four iron posts or columns shown. 
A side shake or lateral motion is imparted to the frame by means of 
steel connecting rods, attached to adjustable cranks, keyed to main 
driving shaft. 

Upon the shaking frame is mounted or stretched an endless rubber 
belt, with raised or flanged edges, forming the bed or plane upon which 
the dressing of the ore is effected. 

This belt or bed is caused to travel continuously up hill by rota¬ 
ting the head roll or drum, the power for which is transmitted by 
means of a link-chain belt and sprocket wheels, driven from the worm 
and gear shown. 

The travel of the belt is under full control, and can be regulated to 
any speed required. 

The operation of the machine is as follows : The pulp or crushed 
ore from the battery is conveyed to the distributor located on top of the 
shaking frame above the belt. This distributor spreads the pulp evenly 
over the surface of the bed or belt, which is moving continuously up 
hill or toward the head of the machine. 

The side shake or lateral motion given the bed causes the sul- 
phurets and valuable metallic portions of the ore to settle and lay upon 
the surface of the belt, and, as they pass up hill or toward the head of 
the machine, they come under the water box, delivering clear water in 
fine streams upon the belt ; and, as the pulp passes through these 
streams, the worthless or lighter portion of the ore is “ winnowed ” out 
or washed from the valuable portions, and passes down the belt into 
the tailing sluice. 

The valuable portions of the ore, which still adhere to the belt, 
pass on over the head roll until they come in contact with the small 
wooden automatic discharge roller shown. Here the moisture, still 
clinging to the belt, forms a water cushion, which causes the concen¬ 
trates to leave the belt and deposit themselves in the small box resting 
upon the water tank, into which the belt is depressed for the purpose 
of washing off any fine sulphurets that may have escaped the automatic 

discharge. 

When the small box is filled with sulphurets, it is removed and 
another substituted, thus making the process of concentration continu¬ 
ous and automatic. 










UNION ORE CONCENTRATOR 

WITHOUT SUUPHURET DISCHARGE- 
[patented] 




































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 


Union Ore Concentrator. 


No process connected with the reduction and treatment of ores 
commands as much attention as that of concentration. As is well 
known the ores in many of our most prominent mines carry their 
value largely in the sulphurets, and when large quantities of ores are 
being milled close and economical concentration is a matter of the 
greatest importance, and the production of a simple and efficient auto¬ 
matic concentrating machine, capable of being adapted to the varying 
conditions and character of ores, has cost many thousands of dollars in 
experiments, extending over a wide field of practice. 

The Union Ore Concentrator, which we illustrate herewith, is the 
latest and most improved machine of this class now made. In it are 
embodied all that twenty years of practical experience with concen¬ 
trating machinery has demonstrated as valuable, and we believe we 
are justified in offering it to the mining public as the best concentrator 
now made. 

No radical innovations have been introduced into this machine. 
It is of the well-known Vanner type, with an endless traveling rubber 
belt, having a side shake or lateral motion. It possesses, however, 
means of adjustment that render the machine capable of being adapted 
to any character or condition of ores, a feature fully appreciated by 
those familiar with machines of this class. It is simple, durable and 
efficient, constructed entirely of iron and brass, and is complete and 
ready for erection as it leaves our works. 

On the following pages will be found a more complete and detailed 
description of this machine. 

Respectfully, 

UNION IRON WORKS, 

San Francisco, Cal. 










6 


THE UNION IRON WORKS , 



UNION ORE CONCENTRATOR (Without Beit). 

[patented] 




























































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 


Union Ore Concentrator Construction. 


The engraving on the opposite page illus¬ 
trates the Union Ore Concentrator without the 
belt. The engraving is so complete in detail 
that it is unnecessary to describe more than 
special points of construction. 

Fig. i shows one of the iron posts or 
columns in section, illustrating the method 
of hanging or supporting the shaking frame 
or table. To the sliding block, located in top 
of column, the shaking frame is pivoted by 
means of link, 34. By raising or lowering 
this block, the inclination or level of the table 
can be changed. This adjustment is made by 
loosening the clamp, 6, and turning the 
screw, 7. This valuable feature is possessed 
by no other machine of this class. 



Fig. 2 
main rolls. 


illustrates the method of supporting and carrying the 
The hanger, 22, is securely bolted to the channel iron, 

63, forming the sides of the shaking 
frame. This hanger is provided with 
slots, which admit of the rolls being 
screwed forward, thus taking up the 
stretch of belt when required. The 
rolls are journaled in brass bushing, 
82, fitted with set screw to take up all 
lost motion, thus preventing undue 
vibration. All journals of the ma¬ 
chine are constructed in this manner, 
admitting of their being replaced, when 
Fig. 2. worn, at small expense. 
























































8 THE UNION IRON WORKS, 


Union o re Concentrator Construction. 

( Continued .) 



I 

40 

Fig- 3- 


Fig. 3 illustrates the adjustable crank, which imparts motion to 
the shaking frame or table. The disc, 40, is keyed to the driving 
shaft, in the face of which is a slot. In this slot the sliding crank pin, 
39, is secured, by means of two bolts or studs, passing throughout 
the disk. By moving this sliding crank pin in or out from the center, 
the shaking frame can be given any throw or travel desired. This 
adjustment in combination with that shown in Fig. 1 renders it possible 
to adapt the machine to any class or grade of ore required, which is 
not possible in other machines of this class. 



















SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. g 


Union Ore Concentrator Construction. 

(Continued.) 



Fig. 4- 


Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the pulp distributor, which is carried by 
the shaking frame and is located under the head of the machine above 
the belt; into this distributor the crushed ore is introduced by means 
of a pipe or sluice and evenly spread or distributed over the belt or 
bed of the machine. 



Fig- 5- 













































































































































































































IO THE UNION IRON WORKS, 


Union Ore Concentrator Construction. 

( Continued .) 




Fig. 6 illustrates the front and rear of the water box or water dis¬ 
tributor, which is located at the head of the machine, supported on 
brackets forming part of the head columns. This distributor delivers 
clear water upon the belt in fine streams, usually about three inches 
apart. The construction of this enables the water to be delivered on 
the belt at any point and in such quantities as desired, a feature fully 

appreciated by those familiar with the process and operation of these 
machines. 













































































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 


Union Ore Concentrator Construction. 

(' Continued .) 



Fig. 7 illustrates our automatic sulphuret discharge roll. The 
engraving clearly shows the method of attaching this roll to the 
machine. 

This roll, which is made of wood, and about three inches in 
diameter, is placed between the head and depression roll, against the 
traveling belt. 

The moisture on the belt forms a water cushion or pocket which 
causes the sulphurets or concentrates to leave the belt when coming 
in contact with the roll, and are discharged into the small box shown 
in practically a dry condition. 

This is a great convenience in large mills, as it saves much labor 
in removing the concentrates as compared with the ordinary method. 




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 


General Remarks. 


Speed. —The main driving shaft of the Union Concentrator 
should make 180 revolutions per minute, and the throw or side shake 
should be from "/% of an inch to i}i inches, depending upon the char¬ 
acter of the ore. 

The speed at which the belt should travel depends entirely upon 
the character of the ore, varying from 30 inches to 6 feet per minute. 

Regularity of speed is of the greatest importance for close and 
efficient work. The necessity for this is obvious, considering that the 
machine is automatic in its operation. 

Regularity in speed, regularity in the delivery ot material upon 
the belt, and regularity in the supply of clear water, are conditions that 
must be observed and maintained to insure perfect work. 

Water. —The material should be delivered upon the belt with as 
little water as required to keep the bed in good condition and spread 
the pulp evenly over the surface. 

The amount of clear water required for each machine depends 
somewhat upon the character of the ore, but may be stated as from six 
to ten gallons per minute, about equal to miners’ inch. 

Capacity. —This depends upon the character of material to be 
treated. Under ordinary conditions each machine will handle eight 
tons of material per day. 

Erection and Running. —No rules can be laid down for erec¬ 
tion. The engravings presented show clearly how the machine is put 
together, as each piece is numbered, and any intelligent mechanic can 
erect one in a few hours’ time; as to running the machine, a few days’ 
experience will enable any one familiar with machinery of this class 
to make the adjustments necessary to work any ore that can be con¬ 
centrated. 

In Generae. —The motion, grade of the machine, quantity of 
water required, and speed of belt travel, must be regulated and adjusted 
to meet the conditions required by each individual class of ore, and, 
when these have once been determined, no trouble will be experi¬ 
enced, as the machine will work continuously and uniformly as long 
as conditions are unchanged. 

In conclusion, it is not out of place to mention, however well built 
a machine may be, it requires some attention. Keep all lost motion 
out of the machine, avoiding knocks and jars. Keep the machine 
clean ; splashing of sand and dirty water over the sides of the belt 
should not be permitted. The metal work should be kept bright and 
clean. 

There is no reason why a Union Concentrator should not be kept 
as clean and in as good condition as a high-grade engine. It is safe 
to say that a dirty, ill-kept machine will not do efficient work. 









THE UNION IRON WORKS, 


Setting of Counter Shaft. 


The counter shafting to drive the Union Concentrators is usually 
placed in line or parallel with the main line shaft of the mill. This 
arrangement, therefore, places the counter shaft at right angles to the 
crank shaft and pulley of the concentrator, and necessitates the use of 
a quarter twist belt. 

The proper setting of these pulleys, to insure the perfect running of 
a quarter twist belt, is a matter of importance, and often puzzles even 
good mechanics ; and, for the benefit of those who are not perfectly 
familiar with the setting, we illustrate herewith the manner in which 
these pulleys are set with reference to each other, a a being crank 
shaft of concentrator, b b counter shaft above. 



























































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 


■5 


Union Ore Concentrator. 


CAPACITY, WEIGHT AND PRICE. 


CAPACITY. 


As before stated, the capacity of the Union Ore Concentrator 
depends upon the character of the ore being worked ; it will handle 
about eight tons per twenty-four hours, and, in some instances, when 
the ore is not very heavy in sulphurets and their value not high, one 
concentrator will handle the pulp from five stamps; but where the ore 
is heavy in sulphurets and their value high two concentrators should 
be employed for each five stamps. 


WEIGHT. 


The Union Ore Concentrator, complete, boxed and • ready for 
shipment, weighs 

2,500 POUNDS. 


PRICE. 

The price of the Union Ore Concentrator, boxed and placed free 
on board cars or steamer at San Francisco, is 

$400 EACH. 

This price does not include overhead shafting, belting, head sul- 
phuret box, or settling boxes under machine. If desired, we will 
furnish these at cost prices. 















i6 


THE UNION IRON WORKS. 



Twenty-stamp Gold Mill with Union Concentrators. 















































































































































































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 


Gold Mill. 

The illustration on the opposite page gives an interior view of a 
Twenty-stamp Gold Mill of the usual design employed throughout 
California for working gold ores. 

The ore is first passed through the rock breaker or crusher 
(located at top of mill) into the ore bins, from whence it passes auto¬ 
matically into the self-feeders, which deliver it, as required, into the 
mortars of the stamp battery. Here it is crushed wet and discharged 
through the battery screens (usually about 40 mesh), upon silver-plated 
copper plates, which extract the free gold contained in the ore. The 
pulp or crushed ore, after passing these plates, is run onto the Union 
Concentrators, which eliminate or concentrate the sulphurets or other 
valuable portions of the ore which will not amalgamate on the copper 
plates referred to. 

These sulphurets after being concentrated are dried and roasted, 
and the gold contained in them is usually extracted by the chlorination 
process, described elsewhere. 

Plans, specifications and prices given upon application. 









Twenty-stamp Mill, Combination Process, with Union Concentrators. 
























































SAN FRANC/SCO, CAL. 


Combination Process. 


The illustration on the opposite page gives an interior view of a 
Twenty-stamp Combination Mill equipped with Union Concentrators. 

The “Combination Process” is the method of treating gold and 
silver bearing ores by the application of the concentration and amal¬ 
gamation processes combined, and is especially adapted to ores that 
are not “ free milling.” 

It is not an experimental nor new process, but simply a combination 
of well-known and successful methods in daily operation throughout 
the mining sections of the country. 

The mill, which we illustrate herewith, is designed to treat refrac¬ 
tory ores, carrying gold and silver associated with the baser metals, 
such as iron and copper pyrites, lead, zinc, antimony, etc. 

The ore is first passed through the rock breaker or crusher, into 
the ore bins, from whence it passes automatically into the self-feeders, 
which deliver it as required into the mortars of the battery. Here it 
is crushed wet, and discharged through the battery screens upon silver- 
plated copper plates, which extract the free gold contained in the ore. 
From these plates it passes on to the first set of Union Concentrators, 
where the heavier base metals are eliminated. The tailings from these 
machines then pass on to the second set of Union Concentrators, where 
the final concentration takes place, eliminating the zinc, antimony, etc. 
The tailings from these last set of machines, containing the sulphides, 
chlorides and fine gold, which cannot be concentrated, pass into the 
settling tanks, where, after the surplus water is drawn from the pulp, 
it is shoveled into the pans, amalgamated, discharged into the settlers, 
and the amalgam strained, retorted and melted in the usual manner. 

The concentrates obtained can be disposed of as may be best 
suited to the commercial conditions governing each particular case. 

This process is being adapted by many of the largest mines; and, 
for such ores as we have described, the “Combination Process” is not 
only the cheapest, but the most practical method of reduction that can 
be employed under any and all conditions. 














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THE UNION IRON IVOR RTS, 


Coarse Concentrating Mill with Rollers, Jigs and Union Concentrators. 




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 


Coarse Concentrating Mill 

c5 

WITH ROLLERS, JIGS AND UNION CONCENTRATORS. 


The illustration on the opposite page shows an interior view of a 
Coarse Concentrating Mill of the usual design, used principally for 
lead and copper ores. 

The ore as it comes from the mine is first passed through the 
rock breaker or crusher (located on the upper floor of the mill), then 
through coarse rolls, from whence it passes into a trommel. The ore 
too coarse to pass through is returned by a bucket elevator to a set of 
finishing rolls, is further crushed and returned to trommel No. i, the 
ore that passes through goes to trommel No. 2, and that portion too 
coarse goes to jig No. 1, and so 011 until it has passed through the 
entire series. The pulp that passes through the last in the series of 
sizers consists of very fine sands and slimes, which flow into inverted 
pyramidal boxes called “ Spitzkasten,” where the sands and heavier 
particles settle to the bottom and the slimes or lighter material flow 
off with the current. 

The pulp (or slimes) is now passed over the Union Concentrators, 
percussion tables, etc., the larger particles (specifically lighter), being 
acted upon more readily by the flowing water, are carried down the 
belt and pass away as tailings, while the smaller particles (specifically 
heavier) cling to the belt and are saved as concentrates. 

Plans, specifications and estimates given upon application. 









22 THE UNION IRON IVOR NS, 



«rrJtv*ood 


UNION IRON 


WORKS S. F. < 



CHLORINATION WORKS. 















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































SAN FRANCISCO , CAL. 


I reatment of Concentrates. 


The gold ores of California usually carry from one to two per cent of sulphu- 
rets, which are eliminated from the ore after passing through the batteries. These 
concentrates range in value from $40 to $200 per ton, chiefly in gold, though in 
many instances they contain from $12 to $20 in silver and from one to five per 
cent of copper. 

The method usually employed for their treatment is that of chlorination 
(Plattner process) (see illustration on opposite page). This consists in roasting 
the concentrates in an ordinary reverberatory furnace to expel the sulphur, arsenic 
aud other volatile, deleterious substances. Salt is added as the roast nears com¬ 
pletion, and when a “dead roast” has been obtained (which is of the utmost 
importance) the ore is drawn from the furnace and spread upon the cooling floor; 
when cold, about six per cent of moisure is added ; it is then screened into the 
leaching tanks, care being taken to have it lie as loosely as possible to facilitate 
the penetration of the chlorine gas, the screen used being usually yy r to y 2 " mesh. 
The tauks are filled to within about three inches of the top and chlorine gas (gen¬ 
erated in lead holders) is introduced into the bottom of the tank, and remains on 
until ammonia held above the ore gives off fumes of ammonia chloride. This usually 
takes about four hours. When this point is reached covers are put on the tanks 
and luted with dough or any other suitable substance and the gas shut off. The 
tank is then allowed to stand for two days, during which time the gold contained 
in the ore has been converted into a terchloride of gold. The covers are then 
removed, water introduced and the terchloride of gold washed or leached out. 

This “liquor” or lixivium is run into precipitating tanks, where by the use 
of a solution of sulphate of iron the gold is precipitated, falling to the bottom of 
the tank, forming a dark paste. The liquor is then siphoned off, the gold col¬ 
lected, washed with water until all the acid and iron salts are removed; it is then 
dried, melted and cast into bars, the average fineness being from 998 to 999^. 

When the concentrates carry silver the roasting with salt has converted it 
into a chloride; this is leached out after the gold has been extracted, by using 
a solution of hyposulphide of soda. The lixivium from this leach is run into 
separate tanks, where the silver is precipitated by the addition of a solution of 
polysulphide of sodium or calcium. The precipitate is in the form of a sulphide 
of silver which is collected upon filters, washed, dried, and then reduced to a 
metallic state. 

When the concentrates contain copper sulphides they are converted by roast¬ 
ing into sulphates and are leached out with the gold, and remain in the “liquor” 
after the gold has been precipitated ; if the amount of copper carried in this 
liquor is sufficient to justify its being saved, the liquor, when siphoned from the 
gold precipitating tank, is run into another tank containing scrap iron, which 
precipitates the copper into a metallic form known as “ cement copper.” 

By the process described above from 92 to 96 per cent of the assay value of 
the concentrates is obtained, the cost varying from $10 to $15 per ton of concen¬ 
trates treated, depending upon local conditions as to labor and fuel. 

The Plattner process, while slow in operation, meets with general favor—no 
moving machinery is required, there is nothing to break down and but little to 
wear out. A set of vats once installed will last indefinitely if properly taken care 
of and painted with coal-tar and asphaltum, from time to time. The furnace is 
simple in construction and easy of operation. 

We have a variety of patterns for generators aud furnaces of different sizes 
and capacities, also build machinery for the Barrel process. 

Plans, specifications and estimates furnished on application. 
























































































































